AU Boot strut mount broken. how to fix?

[Fairlane63]

Hi all,

I went to change my boot struts in the Fairlane and the ball mount snapped of from corrosion.
I have a new ball mount but now I cant remove the old one because it just spins when I try to remove it. (rusted to the nut)

anyone know how to sort this?

Thanks,

[mif73]

Might have to drill it out while someone holds the ball mount with pliers.

[Fairlane63]

yes I had this in mind but installing the new one will be a challenge

[mif73]

Can you attach a pic or 2?

[Fairlane63]

Originally Posted by mif73

Can you attach a pic or 2?

I drilled an inspection hole to see what was happening at the nut end.

Trying to upload pictures but not letting me. says upload failed.

[peterljohnson55]

You will probably looking at a clean up of parent metal in the area, anyway, so perhaps a side cutter after you have shielded areas around the area.

Then clean up, weld new ball mount into position and repaint.

Alternatively, and depending on whether any spare length in your strut, abandon the first hole and start afresh in an adjacent spot.

[Sox]

Can you get an angle grinder in?

[FTe342]

There is a product called Rost-Off (no not Rust-Off) made by Wurth that dissolves rust in a jiffy. Its 20 times better than say WD40. If you can get that to the nut end it will come apart easily.
Saying that, I didn't know there was a nut on the back end but am guessing you know because you have a new part ?

[Fairlane63]

Originally Posted by FTe342

There is a product called Rost-Off (no not Rust-Off) made by Wurth that dissolves rust in a jiffy. Its 20 times better than say WD40. If you can get that to the nut end it will come apart easily.
Saying that, I didn't know there was a nut on the back end but am guessing you know because you have a new part ?

the new part is thread only. the nut is meant to be captive. if Ford had painted the part in the first place this would not be an issue.

[Fairlane63]

Originally Posted by Sox

Can you get an angle grinder in?

yes at a pinch

[mif73]

I would say the nut is spot welded to the sheet metal.
If you cant re use the nut then perhaps clean up the rust and treat it and repaint then get a longer ball mount and drill the old nut a tad bigger then place a new nut behind the old one.
If the rust is too bad in the boot channel perhaps a stainless washer under the ball mount?

[Fairlane63]

Originally Posted by FTe342

There is a product called Rost-Off (no not Rust-Off) made by Wurth that dissolves rust in a jiffy. Its 20 times better than say WD40. If you can get that to the nut end it will come apart easily.
Saying that, I didn't know there was a nut on the back end but am guessing you know because you have a new part ?

could be an option with that product thanks

[shazaam]

I need to do mine before it gets real bad. Where did you get a new one from?

[Fairlane63]

EBAY mate. I think $19

[shazaam]

Got a link? Couldn't find one for a falcon.

[Fairlane63]

Originally Posted by shazaam

Got a link? Couldn't find one for a falcon.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GENUINE-F...00b8c59&_uhb=1

[graham_h]

Do you reckon mine would be the same ?





I'm guessing AU and BA would be identical ?

[Fairlane63]

Originally Posted by graham_h

Do you reckon mine would be the same ?

image

image

I'm guessing AU and BA would be identical ?

I am guessing so mate. they sure get ugly don't they!

[rmack]

This was mine.

I cleaned it up and was able to slip a nut in behind


The ball was from a BA

[Fairlane63]

Originally Posted by rmack

This was mine.
image
I cleaned it up and was able to slip a nut in behind
image
imageimage
The ball was from a BA

That is interesting. I may be able to cut a slot in the body mount big enough to put a nut in behind once I grind the old one out.
Hmmmm..

[mif73]

Might want to invest in a dremel type grinder to get in the tight spots.

[Fairlane63]

Originally Posted by mif73

Might want to invest in a dremel type grinder to get in the tight spots.

That my friend is good advice. thank you.

[graham_h]

what size nut ?

[mif73]

As a matter of interest, do you know if the car has been or is usually parked on an angle (nose down) where water can collect near the hinge?

Ps. Get some rust treatment and gal primer etc happening.

[graham_h]

nope
Underground parking all it's life
But yeah rust treatment first then get that nut

[Silver']

Originally Posted by Fairlane63

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/GENUINE-F...00b8c59&_uhb=1

But this link is for an E-series bonnet strut?

They are different to the AU boot strut so don't expect to find a nut on yours. Will work well once you get the old one out though

Hope you get it sorted!

[Fairlane63]

Originally Posted by SilverT2TE50

But this link is for an E-series bonnet strut?

They are different to the AU boot strut so don't expect to find a nut on yours. Will work well once you get the old one out though

Hope you get it sorted!

after much debating I decided to just go beside the old mount in the double panel.
looks a bit how ya goin but in the scheme of things is hardly noticeable unless you know what you are looking for.

[mif73]

Originally Posted by Fairlane63

after much debating I decided to just go beside the old mount in the double panel.
looks a bit how ya goin but in the scheme of things is hardly noticeable unless you know what you are looking for.

Another hole but at least it will stop the boot lid falling and putting holes in your head.
Just get rid of the metal filings, fill the old hole and treat the rust before it gets worse.

[Fairlane63]

yep.
it's amazing how much better it is with two new struts. they sure do a good job holding that dead weight! It used to slam shut with gravity but now you have a task to pull the boot down. very nice!

[mif73]

I had a good look at my strut mounts today and found minor surface rust so i flooded it with rust converter.
Hopefully that slows it down.
The problem is water can intrude into the unpainted section that's welded on.